Combating Sickle cell disease
— The world’s leading genetic disease —
Sickle cell disease is a serious chronic genetic affliction that is believed to affect more than 300,000 infants in sub-Saharan Africa each year. These figures motivated Fondation Pierre Fabre to join the fight against this little publicised disease in 2006.
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Sickle-cell disease, the world’s most widespread genetic disease – particularly in Africa –, affects the haemoglobin, resulting in very painful, acute attacks and potentially fatal complications, especially in children.
Approximately 50 million people worldwide are carriers of sickle cell trait and therefore likely to transmit this genetic haemoglobin disorder to their offspring. This disease, emblematic of the populations of Africa and its diaspora, limits the life expectancy of those afflicted if they do not receive proper treatment: it is thought that half the children die before the age of five.
As a “neglected” and under-diagnosed illness, sickle-cell disease is a global health concern that is nevertheless not addressed by major international aid programmes. The Fondation Pierre Fabre has been dedicated to fighting this disease for over a decade, with several clear objectives: improve screening and treatment, train healthcare professionals and encourage research, while serving as a powerful advocate for those with sickle-cell disease to help make the illness a global health priority.
The Foundation is focusing its efforts on neonatal screening for the disease, an uncommon practice in Africa, and facilitating access to proper care. Starting with the Research Centre to combat sickle cell disease (CRLD) founded in Bamako, it intends to broadly disseminate the necessary skills for this battle elsewhere on the continent and in the Caribbean region, and forge effective South-South collaborations.
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| Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease — Burkina Faso — |
Creating and developing the Research Centre to combat sickle cell disease — Mali — |
Operational study on early detection and treatment of sickle cell disease — Sénégal — |
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| Feasibility study for a sickle cell disease treatment programme — Haiti — |
Improving healthcare and social services for those with sickle cell disease — Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Madagascar, DRC — |
Support for the Sickle Cell Disease Control Centre — Guinea — |
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| Support for the Sickle Cell Research and Treatment Centre (CRTD) — Central African Republic — |
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| Support for the sickle cell treatment unit at the Centre Hospitalier Monkole — RDC — |
Supporting a programme to fight sickle cell disease — Madagascar — |
Strengthening management of sickle cell disease in Bangui — République centrafricaine — |
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| Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease — Burkina Faso — |
|
| Creating and developing the Research Centre to combat sickle cell disease — Mali — |
|
| Operational study on early detection and treatment of sickle cell disease — Sénégal — |
|
| Feasibility study for a sickle cell disease treatment programme — Haiti — |
|
| Improving healthcare and social services for those with sickle cell disease — Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Madagascar, DRC — |
|
| Support for the Sickle Cell Disease Control Centre — Guinea — |
|
| Support for the Sickle Cell Research and Treatment Centre (CRTD) — Central African Republic — |
|
| Support for the sickle cell treatment unit at the Centre Hospitalier Monkole — RDC — |
|
| Supporting a programme to fight sickle cell disease — Madagascar — |
|
| Strengthening management of sickle cell disease in Bangui — République centrafricaine — |
OUR COMMITMENT
Follow our action
Joining forces for better diagnosis and care of blood disorders in Burkina Faso
The Fondation Pierre Fabre is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation and to jointly improve diagnosis and care of blood disorders in Burkina Faso.
Africa: 31 doctors from 9 countries trained in sickle cell disease
From 8 through 20 November 2021, 31 physicians from nine African countries will follow the sixth presentation of the curriculum for the University Diploma in Sickle Cell Disease by the Sickle Cell Disease Research Centre (CRLD) in Bamako, Mali. The qualification-based course was introduced in 2014 to raise awareness of this disease among doctors and provide them with training to improve patient care in regions where healthcare personnel and resources are scarce.
Combating Sickle cell disease: Interview with Éléonore Kafando
Interview with Éléonore Kafando, medical biologist and professor of haematology at the Health Sciences UFR at Joseph Ki Zerbo University in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso